The last thing she wants to do is disrespect a serviceman’s need to see his family.
However, poor gal, she also knows I’m the guy who spiked her punch bowls when I was a senior, enough to get both schools blotto.
She’s about to blow, angry at my being so dang charming. But the nun on her left leans over. “Isn’t Congressman Cocker a considerable donor, Sister Charlotte? Are these his sons, because if they are…?”
Hank winks at me.
Cornered, Sister Charlotte barks. “You boys go back to where you were! Peter Tuck, wipe that smile off your face or I’ll throw you out on your keister alone!”
“Yes, Sister.”
Peter, my brother, Marvin, and I, all walk away as the crowd disperses.
With the sisters marching into a dance floor that will feel their thwarted wrath, I look over my shoulder at the blonde angel with eyes I’d like to drown in. “Say, tell me about the doll.”
“Haven’t thought much about her, to be honest, Jer.” Hank rakes his sandy-brown hair back and nods to Peter for help. “At the games she never says a peep. This is the first dance I’ve seen her at. What about you, Tuck? What’s the dish on the dish?”
Peter shrugs, “Just like Hank, I haven’t noticed her much.”
“What about Lily?” Hank smirks, “Have you noticed her?”
Peter tips back his fedora. “Yes sir, Lily Marlow is a dangerous girl. I’d like to find out how much.”
Hank hits my arm. “Tuck’s had eyes on her since last year, but she won’t give him the time of day. He’s sure he’ll win her over!”
Tuck smirks, “Wanna lay a wager on it?”
My brother laughs, “I’ll pass!” but loses the smile as he catches me frowning with my mind on the doll. “Jer, if you wanna beat it, I understand. Sister Charlotte won’t let you take anyone to the dance floor after that, and I don’t want you bored sick on account of I asked you to come.”
Chewing my lip and staring at the dance floor while I plan, I mutter, “Don’t wanna dance with any girl but her anyhow.”
“So, are you leaving?”
“Don’t wanna leave neither.”
Hank and his friends exchange a look. “Well I don’t see how…hey look! Lily’s trying to get our attention!”
MAY
L ily whispers, “Girls, listen to this. I have a swell idea!”
“Oh no!” Sable groans, pushing her glasses higher on her nose on account of they slid when she leaned in. “I’m not going to like this!”
And she most likely won’t.
But I might.
Lily saw Jerald Cocker looking over his shoulder when he left after Sister Charlotte made him, and she claims he’s sweet on me. If anyone can come up with a scheme to see if she’s right, it’s Lily. I wish I had her moxie. Gertie and I both do.
Lily Marlow is the prettiest, by far, with sultry eyes and a figure that makes us all wish we drank more milk. Mother’s opinion is she’s a trouble maker, but I believe that’s not fair. She just has no fear, is all. Her best friend, Sable, has enough for both of them!
We lean in closer as Lily explains, “Sister Charlotte and the Buzzard Squad are already bawling out some other poor fella, so as I see it…”
Gertie whispers, “You shouldn’t call nuns buzzards!”
I smile and grab her arm.
Lily ignores her. “…it’s our chance to escape!”
With her usual skepticism, Sable demands, “Where are we going that they can’t find us?!”
“I’m not suggesting we prance down the halls to someplace we’d get caught. We’re smarter than that!”
“Why don’t we just go back to enjoying ourselves? I mean, I wasn’t yet. But I had high hopes!”
Lily rolls her eyes. “Why do you have to be such a fuddy duddy?” Turning to Gertie and me, she whispers, “The sisters are supposed to watch over us when we’re here.”
I blurt, “You mean leave the school?!”
Gertie and Sable gasp.
Lily nods and we all go quiet.
Gertie and I exchange a look and, as her best friend, I know what she’s thinking without her having to say a word. We’re excited to finally be seniors. The school year has just begun. A new world is ahead of us. Do we want to gamble our freedom away on one of Lily’s wild ideas?
Gertie turns to Lily. “Tell us what to do.”
“We’re going to walk right out that door and act perfectly normal. You see, Sable’s parents have gone to Washington for some lobbying, haven’t they Sabes?”
“I don’t like the sound of this at all.”
“What’s the worst that can happen?”
“Don’t even get me started on ideas!”
Lily waves down. “That would be a bad start, wouldn’t it? Everything you think is a downer anyhow.”
“Is not!”
The three of us simultaneously say, “Is so.”
“Somebody has to be the voice of reason!”
We all stare at Sable.
Lily announces, “It’s settled then!”
“Hey!” It’s no use. Lily wins every argument they ever have and this one won’t be any different. So she gives up, and shrugs. “Fine.”
With mixed terror and fascination we watch Lily catch Hank Cocker’s attention. After a very brief and silent
